MILWAUKEE – (January 26, 2005) – Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis has been selected by Johnson Controls, Inc. to participate in CAREERCONNECT, a new collaborative program dedicated to training the next generation of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians.

Through CAREERCONNECT, Johnson Controls will donate more than $50,000 of resources to each partnering school to enhance its learning environment, HVAC program curriculum and students’ experience.  The company’s contributions will also include instruction from industry experts, learning materials, equipment donations and faculty training. 

The overall goal of CAREERCONNECT is to increase the number of skilled graduates of HVAC programs entering the workforce.  This is in response to a lagging number of HVAC program graduates entering the trade, an aging workforce, and an increasing demand to transform buildings into cost-effective and efficient facilities. 

“To meet the needs of our growing service business, we are taking action that goes beyond recruitment to development of the kind of talent we look for.  Students who graduate from Dunwoody College of Technology or other technical colleges with the CAREERCONNECT program will be among the best candidates the industry has to offer," said Terry Diaferio, District General Manager of Service, Johnson Controls. To date, Dunwoody College of Technology is one of four U.S. community colleges to have been selected for inclusion into CAREERCONNECT.  Colleges were evaluated based on school and program demographics including diversity statistics, curriculum and ability to modify it, geographic areas served, enrollments, placement statistics, strategies, and its relationship with Johnson Controls.   

“In our experience, industry partnerships have proven an excellent way to ensure that our programs stay current and our graduates are well prepared.  We are excited to partner with Johnson Controls and its CAREERCONNECT program to strengthen our HVAC service program and to continue producing the best graduates in this field," said Jeff Ylinen, Dean of Learning, Dunwoody College of Technology.

The CAREERCONNECT program exemplifies the company’s dedication to the communities in which it serves.  Through its local network of service professionals, Johnson Controls offers a team of experts and a range of service solutions designed to improve facility performance and keep customer facilities running right.

Johnson Controls, Inc., is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control.  In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries.  For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management.  Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Its sales for 2004 totaled $26.6 billion.  For more information on Johnson Controls, Inc., visit the company’s Web site at www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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